HOW TO WRITE CHAPTER I Chapter 1 The Project and Its Background

This chapter explains how to write the introduction how to formulate the specific questions and hypotheses,how to write about the importance of the study,how to define terms,how to delimit the study and how to construct the conceptual framework are clearly explained and illustrated Chapter 1 of a thesis should contain a discussion of each of the following topics Introduction Background of the study Statement of the problem Objectives of the study Assumptions and Hypotheses Significance of Importance of the Study Definition of Terms Scope and Limitations of the Study Conceptual Framework The Introduction should contain a discussion of any or all of the following 1. Presentation of the Problem.The start of the introduction is the presentation of the problem that is what the project is all about.This will indicate what will be covered by the study (Prolong the discussion citing the multifarious and wonderful benefits that Information Technology is giving to humanity tpday.Later,in connection with Information Technology,the chosen topic which is the system proposal may be presented) The existence of an unsatisfactory condition,a felt problem that needs a solution. Rationale of the study.The reason/s why it is necessary to conduct the study must be discussed. Historical background of the problem. A desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a situation,circumstance,or phenomenon. A desire to find a better way of doing something or of improving a product. A desire to discover something. A link between the introduction and the statement of the problem.A sentence or two should show the link between the introduction and the conducting of researcher.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Background of the Study 1. Cite the reasons why you have chosen the topic of your study.

References : thesis and Dissertation Writing A Modular Approach - Tejero & Catchillar ,2004 Methods of Research and Thesis Writing-Calderon & Gonzales, 1993 Prepared by : Emma C. Reyes

2. 3. 4. 5.

Cite the problematic situation which prompted you to conduct the study from the macro to micro level, that is, globally, regionally, nationally and locally, to zero-in on the local setting of the study Support your discussion with legal basis relevant to your study Pertinent statistical data should support your claims. Make your presentation emphatic and explosive. It should prod your reader to go on and find out what good is there in your research study

Statement of the Problem There should be a general statement of the whole problem followed by the specific questions or sub problems into which the general problem is broken up 1. 2. 3. Make a general statement of the problem. Cite the specific problems in logical and sequential order as they appear in your paradigm The problems must be with the paradigm, conceptual framework, hypothesis, methodology and research instrument

Objectives of the study 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Write an introductory paragraph before listing the objectives The objectives should be with the problems if there are six problems, there should also six objectives While the problems are stated in question form, the objectives should be stated in the infinitive or the verb ``to be . The objectives should start with the word ``to . Do not be repetitive in the use of action words. You should vary them, say for instance: to assess, to determine, to evaluate, to draw, to find out, etc. The objectives should be stated in behavioral terms. (It means that objectives should be SMART Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Result-oriented, and Time-bounded)

Assumptions and Hypotheses Historical and descriptive investigations do not need explicit hypotheses and assumptions. Only experimental studies need expressly written assumptions and hypotheses.

Importance of Significance of the Study The importance of the whole study must contain explanations or discussions of any or all of the following:

References : Thesis and Dissertation Writing A Modular Approach- Tejero & Catchillar, 2004 Methods of Research and Thesis Writing Calderon & Gonzales, 1993 Prepared by : Emma C. Reyes

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The rational, timeliness, and or relevance of the study. The rationale, timeliness, and/or relevance of the study to existing conditions must be explained or discussed. Possible solutions to existing problems or improvement to satisfactory conditions. Who are to be benifited and how they are going to be benifited. It must be shown who are the individuals, groups, or communities who may be placed in a more advantageous position on account of the study. Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge. Possible implications. It should be discussed here that the implications include the possible causes of the problems discovered, the possible effects of the problems, and the remedial measures to solve the problems Implications also include the good points of a system which ought to be continued or to be improved if possible.

Definitions of Terms Guidelines in defining terms: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Only terms, words or phrases which have special or unique measuring in the study are defined Terms should be defined operationally, that is, how they are used in the study. The researcher may develop his own definition from the characteristics of the term defined. Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries, and other publications but the researcher must acknowledge his sources Definitions should be as brief, clear, and unequivocal as possible. Acronyms should always be spelled out fully especially if it is not commonly known or if it is used the first time

Scope and Limitations of the Study The scope and delimitations should include the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A brief statement of the general purpose of the study. The subject matter and topics studied and discussed. The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which the data belong. The period of the study, This is the time, either months or years, during which the data were gathered. Define the parameters or boundaries of the investigation.

References : Thesis and Dissertation Writing a Modular Approach Tejero & Cathchillar, 2004 Methods of Research and Thesis Writing Calderon & Gonzales, 1993 Prepared by : Emma C. Reyes

The Limitation of the Study include the weaknesses of the study beyond the control of the researcher. This is especially true in descriptive research where the variables involved are uncountable or continuous variables such as adecuacy, effectiveness, efficiency, extent, etc. Define the anticipated limitations of the study. How are you going to handle them so that they do not become the bottleneck of the investigation? Conceptual Framework From the review of related literature and studies, the researcher may formulate a theoretical scheme for his research problem. This scheme is tentative explanation or theoretical explanation of the phenomenon or problem and serves as the basis for the formulation of hypotheses. The conceptual framework becomes the central theme, the focus, the main thrust of the study. It serves as a guide in conducting the investigation. Paradigm. A paradigm is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual framework it depicts in a more vivid way what the conceptual framework wants to convey. 1. 2. 3. The paradigm should illustrate or concretize the conceptual framework. The variables should be appropriately placed in their corresponding boxes. The use of one-headed or two-headed arrows will clarify which variables are to be correlated. Write the figure number under the whole paradigm and label it.

References : Thesis and Dissertation Writing a Modular Approach Tejero & Cathchillar, 2004 Methods of Research and Thesis Writing Calderon & Gonzales, 1993 Prepared by : Emma C. Reyes

Format:

Input Process Data - List of data needed in processing (e.g. customer data, supplier data) Technology - List of technologies (software and network connection needed in the process activities Computerized Process - List of computerized/automated processes covered by your study Output The title of your project List of input activities

References : Thesis and Dissertation Writing a Modular Approach Tejero & Cathchillar, 2004 Methods of Research and Thesis Writing Calderon & Gonzales, 1993 Prepared by : Emma C. Reyes